KUALA LUMPUR (May 2): Pakatan Harapan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said police and Armed Forces personnel should be allowed to vote freely in the May 9 general election.

“We hope the security forces would not be pressured by political parties, namely the ruling coalition, to vote for the incumbent. There should not be threats to the police and military to stop them from voting for the Opposition,” he said.

The former Prime Minister said this in a letter dated April 25 to the police and Armed Forces which was posted on his Facebook page today.

Mahathir said Malaysians from all walks of life are free to vote any candidate and party, and therefore any attempt to deny that right or instil fear would make this country undemocratic.

The veteran politician also hoped that the police and military would not use force over the people if an emergency is declared after the election.

“We hope that both the police and army would not abuse their power on the people if the Prime Minister gives such an instruction. If this happens, our democracy would be destroyed,” he said.

“Malaysians are aware that the police and Armed Forces must obey government instructions. These instructions are subject to the nation’s laws. However, the adherence to the instructions should not be such that it goes against the laws.

“We have emergency and security laws. If an emergency or a curfew is declared, the laws and Parliament would be suspended. Then the government can do anything,” he added.

Mahathir said Malaysians are entitled to hold peaceful demonstrations but warned that they could be “roughed up” by the security forces or those who assigned to do the job.

“If that happens, a peaceful demonstration could turn into a riot. Malaysians do not like to behave violently or riot. I trust that the security forces would be careful when carrying out their duty,” he added.